Review by Felix on April 13, 2022.

32 years after the original release, a recycling company for reusable metallic materials throws “Then Came the Killing” back on the market. Well, due to the significant lack of thrash bands today, this action surely makes sense. But irony aside, I like it pure and therefore I focus on the vinyl from 1990 with its playtime of compact 35 minutes.

Mezzrow play generic yet pretty exciting thrash and the opening title track with its catchy chorus, its dynamic riffs and its clear configuration does not only set the frame for the following songs. It is also the highlight of the album. The five-piece delivers a track of pinpoint precision, with excellently arranged background shouts, high velocity parts, a vigorous, natural voice and Exodus-influenced lyrics. Music-wise, this song documents the inspiring force of Metallica’s best album (“Ride the Lightning”, of course). Or should I say “of Metallica’s only great album”? Better not, I don’t need a shitstorm today.

Similar to their idols, Mezzrow vary the tempo and broad parts of “The Final Holocaust”, for example, wallow in mid-tempo rhythms that spread some Testament vibes (fortunately some of the better ones, none of albums like “Souls of Black”). I find myself a few times wishing for a little more anger, unbridled power and fire. Anyway, good riffs can compensate for a lot and “Then Came the Killing” can brag about a lot of them. In addition, the rasping and sawing guitar tone marks the best element of an edgy and resolute sound. No matter of course, considering that the first thrash wave produced a lot of classics but was already dying down by 1990. “The American Way” or “In Search of Sanity” made clear that the process of dilapidation had begun. Therefore, Mezzrow’s Bay Area import from Sweden tasted (and still tastes) traditional and refreshing at the same time. Geographically speaking, Mezzrow picked up where Agony had left off. Just like the songs on “The First Defiance”, the conventionally designed material of “Then Came the Killing” did not search for new niches. Instead, the Scandinavians wanted to show that they did not stand in the shadow of the US Americans and this approach worked, although monuments like “Hell Awaits” or “Bonded by Blood” naturally could not be reached.

Mezzrow’s honest debut remained a sort of one-hit-wonder and that’s sad in view of band’s musical substance. All songs score with coherence, they are quickly accessible and shape an absolutely homogeneous overall picture. Yes, there are two or three lines that do not deliver the ultimate excitement, to say it diplomatically, but mostly brilliant tracks like "Frozen Soul". Anyway, each and every band that started lovely Sweden’s transformation to one of the most important suppliers in terms of pretty extreme metal has its merits. Thus, it has felt good to rediscover this album which delivers no gram of fat, just pure, mid-harsh thrash.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Alex on December 22, 2020.

Something special happens when traditional death metal and grindcore merge; can't put it into words but for brevity let's say the results and final outcome are just incredible. Finland are no newcomers to death metal, heck they pretty much are the head honchos for old school death/doom so I would have expected no less in quality from the band in discussion today and more so the album they just shat-out from the bowels of the region. Anthropophagy is Sadistic Drive's first full length album following a compilation put out in 2019. 'Nasty shit' as someone I know had described the material when asked their thoughts after referencing Anthropophagy. Spot on description of the music waiting to blemish your white shirt and matching pants; Anthropophagy sounds like human waste running through and pouring out of your local underground sewer-system. Sick, ugly, just yuck........

I'll keep this one as short as I can to avoid puking on myself. Anthropophagy offers 10 grotesque pieces stinking with the canker of years old decay and from the time the first stick is thrown unto the drum kit and the first riff pours and the first vocal note is belched, the message arrives with sound clarity that Sadistic Drive have every intention of not just living up to their band name but offering music that is reminiscent of the death/grind scene around 89-91. First menacing piece comes in the form of a track called 'Serial Cleaner' following its opening spoken sample; and indeed 'one by one' it got us all. Falling over like a nerd for the hottest looking (disease riddled) chick in the class that has been fucked more than the american taxpayer by every guy and his granddad, this tune has got the curves, the tits, ass and hole death/grind possessed at the dawning of its era. Guitar licks that smear the slush, vocals that sound as though someone is regurgitating soup spoilt for a week and drumming that sounds like some sicco is splashing around jovially in liquefied defecation. This track brings the ugliness of the era and it only gets better as time progresses.

'Internal Putrefaction' and 'Acid Vomit', two more twisted yet delicious death/grind tracks, short and to the point as they should be. No filler, just serious, hitman-style work conducted on the listener. Lots of groovy transitions, mid-paced to high-octane, uptempo blast beats and riffing both memorable and craze inducing. The vocals are dynamic to a degree whereby a sort of snarl would be used in connection with a deep guttural and mid-ranged yell. Some parts on the album are also very sporadic mainly in the faster grindcore moments such as on 'Worm Eaten Abomination' (in which you also get a bit of death/doom) and 'Disease Ridden Pervert' that features my favorite drum section on the album nearing its end after that sinister bit of laughter.

Because the tracks are so short you're kept at the height of interest provided there's always something there happening that is different. Heading down to 'Ferox (Victim of Anthropophagous Tribe)' and 'Body Part Puzzle' it becomes hard to not want to play Anthropophagy again due to so much being tossed at you within this short 27 minute span. Plus those two songs exploit the momentum of previous highlights that in turn manage to bring the album to a worthy conclusion. Probably heard Anthropophagy more than 10 times in a single stretch and still finding new stuff there every time. One of 2020's hidden gems; or in this case, hidden germs.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10